Displaying publications 221 - 240 of 343 in total

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  1. Novel utilization of waste marine sponge (Demospongiae) as a catalyst in ultrasound-assisted transesterification of waste cooking oil
    Hindryawati N, Maniam GP
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2015 Jan;22:454-62.
    PMID: 24842471 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2014.04.011
    This study demonstrates the potential of Na-silica waste sponge as a source of low cost catalyst in the transesterification of waste cooking oil aided by ultrasound. In this work an environmentally friendly and efficient transesterification process using Na-loaded SiO2 from waste sponge skeletons as a solid catalyst is presented. The results showed that the methyl esters content of 98.4±0.4wt.% was obtainable in less than an hour (h) of reaction time at 55°C. Optimization of reaction parameters revealed that MeOH:oil, 9:1; catalyst, 3wt.% and reaction duration of 30min as optimum reaction conditions. The catalyst is able to tolerant free fatty acid and moisture content up to 6% and 8%, respectively. In addition, the catalyst can be reused for seven cycles while maintaining the methyl esters content at 86.3%. Ultrasound undoubtedly assisted in achieving this remarkable result in less than 1h reaction time. For the kinetics study at 50-60°C, a pseudo first order model was proposed, and the activation energy of the reaction is determined as 33.45kJ/mol using Arrhenius equation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry
  2. Variation of the crystal growth of mesoporous silica nanoparticles and the evaluation to ibuprofen loading and release
    Kamarudin NH, Jalil AA, Triwahyono S, Artika V, Salleh NF, Karim AH, et al.
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2014 May 1;421:6-13.
    PMID: 24594025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.01.034
    Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized with variable microwave power in the range of 100-450 W, and the resulting enhancement of MSN crystal growth was evaluated for the adsorption and release of ibuprofen. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the MSN prepared under the highest microwave power (MSN450) produced the most crystallized and prominent mesoporous structure. Enhancement of the crystal growth improved the hexagonal order and range of silica, which led to greater surface area, pore width and pore volume. MSN450 exhibited higher ibuprofen adsorption (98.3 mg/g), followed by MSN300(81.3 mg/g) and MSN100(74.1 mg/g), confirming that more crystallized MSN demonstrated higher adsorptivity toward ibuprofen. Significantly, MSN450 also contained more hydroxyl groups that provided more adsorption sites. In addition, MSN450 exhibited comparable ibuprofen adsorption with conventionally synthesized MSN, indicating the potential of microwave treatment in the synthesis of related porous materials. In vitro drug release was also investigated with simulated biological fluids and the kinetics was studied under different pH conditions. MSN450 showed the slowest release rate of ibuprofen, followed by MSN300 and MSN100. This was due to the wide pore diameter and longer range of silica order of the MSN450. Ibuprofen release from MSN450 at pH 5 and 7 was found to obey a zero-order kinetic model, while release at pH 2 followed the Kosmeyer-Peppas model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*
  3. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers-based nicorandil-loaded peroral tablet compared with its once-daily commercial sustained-release tablet
    Tamilvanan S, Venkatesh Babu R, Nappinai A, Sivaramakrishnan G
    Drug Dev Ind Pharm, 2011 Apr;37(4):436-45.
    PMID: 20923389 DOI: 10.3109/03639045.2010.521161
    Hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer-based nicorandil (10 mg)-loaded peroral tablets were prepared using the wet granulation technique. The influence of varying amounts of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (30-50 mg), ethylcellulose (2-4 mg), microcrystalline cellulose (5-20 mg) and Aerosil® (5-12 mg) in conjunction with the constant amounts (3 mg) of glidant and lubricant (magnesium stearate and talc) on the in vitro performances of the tablets (hardness, friability, weight variation, thickness uniformity, drug content, and drug release behavior) were investigated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/administration & dosage
  4. Iron incorporated heterogeneous catalyst from rice husk ash
    Adam F, Kandasamy K, Balakrishnan S
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2006 Dec 1;304(1):137-43.
    PMID: 16996077
    Silica supported iron catalyst was prepared from rice husk ash (RHA) via the sol-gel technique using an aqueous solution of iron(III) salt in 3.0 M HNO3. The sample was dried at 110 degrees C and labeled as RHA-Fe. A sample of RHA-Fe was calcined at 700 degrees C for 5 h and labeled as RHA-Fe700. X-ray diffraction spectrogram showed that both RHA-Fe and RHA-Fe700 were amorphous. The SEM/EDX results showed that the metal was present as agglomerates and the Fe ions were not homogeneously distributed in RHA-Fe but RHA-Fe700 was shown to be homogeneous. The specific surface areas for RHA-Fe and RHA-Fe700 were determined by BET nitrogen adsorption studies and found to be 87.4 and 55.8 m(2) g(-1), respectively. Both catalysts showed high activity in the reaction between toluene and benzyl chloride. The mono-substituted benzyltoluene was the major product and both catalysts yielded more than 92% of the product. The GC showed that both the ortho- and para-substituted monoisomers were present in about equal quantities. The minor products consisting of 16 di-substituted isomers were also observed in the GC-MS spectra of both catalytic products. The catalyst was found to be reusable without loss of activity and with no leaching of the metal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*
  5. FTIR studies of PVC/PMMA blend based polymer electrolytes
    Ramesh S, Leen KH, Kumutha K, Arof AK
    Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 2007 Apr;66(4-5):1237-42.
    PMID: 16919998
    The polymer electrolytes composing of the blend of polyvinyl chloride-polymethyl methacrylate (PVC/PMMA) with lithium triflate (LiCF3SO3) as salt, ethylene carbonate (EC) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizers and silica (SiO2) as the composite filler were prepared. FTIR studies confirm the complexation between PVC/PMMA blends. The CCl stretching mode at 834 cm-1 for pure PVC is shifted to 847 cm-1 in PVC-PMMA-LiCF3SO3 system. This suggests that there is interaction between Cl in PVC with Li+ ion from LiCF3SO3. The band due to OCH3 at 1150 cm-1 for PVC-PMMA blend is shifted to 1168 cm-1 in PVC-PMMA-LiCF3SO3 system. This shift is expected to be due to the interaction between Li+ ion and the oxygen atom in PMMA. The symmetric vibration band and the asymmetric vibration band of LiCF3SO3 at 1033 and 1256 cm-1 shifted to 1075 and 1286 cm-1 in the DBP-EC plasticized PVC-PMMA-LiCF3SO3 complexes. The interaction between Li+ ions and SiO2 will lead to an increase in the number of free plasticizers (which does not interact with Li+ ions). When the silica content increases from 2% to 5%, the intensity of the peak at 896 cm-1 (due to the ring breathing vibration of free EC) increases in PVC-PMMA-LiCF3SO3-DBP-EC system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry
  6. Conversion of rice husk ash to zeolite beta
    Prasetyoko D, Ramli Z, Endud S, Hamdan H, Sulikowski B
    Waste Manag, 2006;26(10):1173-9.
    PMID: 16274981
    White rice husk ash (RHA), an agriculture waste containing crystalline tridymite and alpha-cristobalite, was used as a silica source for zeolite Beta synthesis. The crystallization of zeolite Beta from RHA at 150 degrees C in the presence of tetraethylammonium hydroxide was monitored by XRD, FTIR and (29)Si MAS NMR techniques. It was found that zeolite Beta started to form after 12h and the complete crystallization of zeolite Beta phase was achieved after 2d. XRD, (29)Si MAS NMR and solid yield studies indicate that the transformation mechanism of silica present in RHA to zeolite Beta involves dissolution of the ash, formation of an amorphous aluminosilicate after 6h of crystallization, followed by dissolution in the mother liquor and final transformation to pure zeolite Beta crystals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*
  7. Catalytic ozonation of aqueous phenol over metal-loaded HZSM-5
    Amin NA, Akhtar J, Rai HK
    Water Sci Technol, 2011;63(8):1651-6.
    PMID: 21866764
    The performances of HZSM-5 and transition metal-loaded HZSM-5 (Mn, Cu, Fe, Ti) catalysts during catalytic ozonation of phenol have been investigated. It was observed the performance order for removal of phenol and COD was Mn/HZSM-5 > Fe/HZSM-5 > Cu/HZSM-5 > Ti/HZSM-5 > HZSM-5. The presence of metals on HZSM-5 enhanced the phenol removal capability of HZSM-5. Mn loading on HZSM-5 was optimized due to its high phenol removal capability amongst metal-loaded HZSM-5 catalysts. Experimental results suggested that low amount of Mn loading on HZSM-5 was sufficient for HZSM-5 to act as catalyst and adsorbent. A maximum of 95.8 wt% phenols and 70.2 wt% COD were removed over 2 wt% Mn/HZSM-5 in 120 min. It was supposed that transition metals mainly acted as ozone decomposers due to their multiple oxidation states that enhanced the ozonation of phenol.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*
  8. Microstructure and properties of crystalline bioglass compositions prepared by polymeric route
    Doreya MI, Mona EW, Afaf ES, Hanan HB
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 May;59 Suppl B:21-2.
    PMID: 15468799
    The standard bioglass composition GS45 as well as with excess silica GS50 or with the addition of 5% titanium oxide GS45+Ti5, were prepared by the polymeric route. The different glass components were added to the formed polymer. Firing at 700 degrees C gave an amorphous product with microporous texture that readily crystallizes out at 900 degrees C. The prepared materials were highly porous with two modes of pore system micro-pores and macro-pores with a size ranging between 100 microm to 0.006 microm and a porosity reaching 73%. The measured bulk density was between 0.36 to 1.1g/cm3. The fired material preserved the former structure of the polymer precursor. Biocompatibility was verified in vitro and vivo. IR of the specimens previously immersed in SBF revealed the formation of apatite like layer. While the histology sections of implants in rate femurs showed new bone tissue or bone trabeculae after 21 days.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide*
  9. Fulltext Numerical investigation of heat transfer enhancement in a rectangular heated pipe for turbulent nanofluid
    Yarmand H, Gharehkhani S, Kazi SN, Sadeghinezhad E, Safaei MR
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:369593.
    PMID: 25254236 DOI: 10.1155/2014/369593
    Thermal characteristics of turbulent nanofluid flow in a rectangular pipe have been investigated numerically. The continuity, momentum, and energy equations were solved by means of a finite volume method (FVM). The symmetrical rectangular channel is heated at the top and bottom at a constant heat flux while the sides walls are insulated. Four different types of nanoparticles Al2O3, ZnO, CuO, and SiO2 at different volume fractions of nanofluids in the range of 1% to 5% are considered in the present investigation. In this paper, effect of different Reynolds numbers in the range of 5000 < Re < 25000 on heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids flowing through the channel is investigated. The numerical results indicate that SiO2-water has the highest Nusselt number compared to other nanofluids while it has the lowest heat transfer coefficient due to low thermal conductivity. The Nusselt number increases with the increase of the Reynolds number and the volume fraction of nanoparticles. The results of simulation show a good agreement with the existing experimental correlations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry
  10. Kinetic study on removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by using soil
    Lim SF, Lee AY
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2015 Jul;22(13):10144-58.
    PMID: 25854202 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4203-6
    In the present study, the feasibility of soil used as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Pb(2+) ions from aqueous solution was investigated. The kinetics for adsorption of the heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by soil was examined under batch mode. The influence of the contact time and initial concentration for the adsorption process at pH of 4.5, under a constant room temperature of 25 ± 1 °C were studied. The adsorption capacity of the three heavy metal ions from aqueous solution was decreased in order of Pb(2+) > Cu(2+) > Zn(2+). The soil was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopic-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface area analyzer. From the FTIR analysis, the experimental data was corresponded to the peak changes of the spectra obtained before and after adsorption process. Studies on SEM-EDX showed distinct adsorption of the heavy metal ions and the mineral composition in the study areas were determined to be silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and iron(III) oxide (FeO3). A distinct decrease of the specific surface area and total pore volumes of the soil after adsorption was found from the BET analysis. The experimental results obtained were analyzed using four adsorption kinetic models, namely pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion. Evaluating the linear correlation coefficients, the kinetic studies showed that pseudo-second-order equation described the data appropriable than others. It was concluded that soil can be used as an effective adsorbent for removing Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Pb(2+) ions from aqueous solution.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry
  11. Ceria and titania incorporated silica based catalyst prepared from rice husk: adsorption and photocatalytic studies of methylene blue
    Adam F, Muniandy L, Thankappan R
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2013 Sep 15;406:209-16.
    PMID: 23800370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2013.05.066
    Titania and ceria incorporated rice husk silica based catalyst was synthesized via sol-gel method using CTAB and glycerol as surface directing agents at room temperature and labeled as RHS-50Ti10Ce. The catalyst was used to study the adsorption and photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. The powder XRD pattern of RHS-50Ti10Ce was much broader (2θ=25-30°) than that of the parent RHS (2θ=22°). The catalyst exhibited type IV isotherm with H3 hysteresis loop, and the TEM images showed partially ordered pore arrangements. The TGA-DTG thermograms confirmed the complete removal of the templates after calcination at 500°C. RHS-50Ti10Ce exhibited excellent adsorption capability with more than 99% removal of MB from a 40 mg L(-1) solution in just 15 min. It also decolorized an 80 mg L(-1) MB solution under UV irradiation in 210 min, which was comparable with the commercialized pure anatase TiO2.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*
  12. Fecal indicator bacteria in tropical beach sand: Baseline findings from Port Dickson coastline, Strait of Malacca (Malaysia)
    Praveena SM, Shamira SS, Ismail SNS, Aris AZ
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2016 Sep 15;110(1):609-612.
    PMID: 27289286 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.024
    This pilot study aims to assess Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination and its perceived health risks among beachgoers in ten tropical beach sands along Port Dickson coastline (Malaysia). This study also aims to determine the relationship between perceived health symptoms and tropical beach sand exposure behavior. The concentration of E. coli in tropical beach sand ranged from 60cfu/100g to 4113cfu/100g. E. coli contamination was the highest at Tanjung Gemuk (4113±30cfu/100g) and the lowest at Tanjung Tuan (60±15cfu/100g); the high level of contamination could be due to the location of the former at the sewage outlet of nearby hotels. Skin symptoms were the most predominant among the health symptoms indicated by beachgoers. Exposure duration was significantly correlated with the perceived health symptoms among beachgoers in the beaches studied.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide*
  13. Micromechanical modelling of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibres containing silica bodies
    Omar FN, Hanipah SH, Xiang LY, Mohammed MAP, Baharuddin AS, Abdullah J
    J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2016 09;62:106-118.
    PMID: 27183430 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.04.043
    Experimental and numerical investigation was conducted to study the micromechanics of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibres containing silica bodies. The finite viscoelastic-plastic material model called Parallel Rheological Network model was proposed, that fitted well with cyclic and stress relaxation tensile tests of the fibres. Representative volume element and microstructure models were developed using finite element method, where the models information was obtained from microscopy and X-ray micro-tomography analyses. Simulation results showed that difference of the fibres model with silica bodies and those without ones is larger under shear than compression and tension. However, in comparison to geometrical effect (i.e. silica bodies), it is suggested that ultrastructure components of the fibres (modelled using finite viscoelastic-plastic model) is responsible for the complex mechanical behaviour of oil palm fibres. This can be due to cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin components and the interface behaviour, as reported on other lignocellulosic materials.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*
  14. Low-melting-point polymeric nanoshells for thermal-triggered drug release under hyperthermia condition
    Dabbagh A, Mahmoodian R, Abdullah BJ, Abdullah H, Hamdi M, Abu Kasim NH
    Int J Hyperthermia, 2015;31(8):920-9.
    PMID: 26670340 DOI: 10.3109/02656736.2015.1094147
    The aim of this paper was to synthesise core-shell nanostructures comprised of mesoporous silica core and a low melting-point polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoshell with a sharp gel-liquid phase transition for rapid drug release at hyperthermia temperature range.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/chemistry
  15. Bioactive scaffold (sodium alginate)-g-(nHAp@SiO2@GO) for bone tissue engineering
    Khan MUA, Razak SIA, Rehman S, Hasan A, Qureshi S, Stojanović GM
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2022 Dec 01;222(Pt A):462-472.
    PMID: 36155784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.153
    Globally, people suffering from bone disorders are steadily increasing and bone tissue engineering is an advanced approach to treating fractured and defected bone tissues. In this study, we have prepared polymeric nanocomposite by free-radical polymerization from sodium alginate, hydroxyapatite, and silica with different GO amounts. The porous scaffolds were fabricated using the freeze drying technique. The structural, morphological, mechanical, and wetting investigation was conducted by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, universal tensile machine, and water contact angle characterization techniques. The swelling, biodegradation, and water retention were also studied. The biological studies were performed (cell viability, cell adherence, proliferation, and mineralization) against osteoblast cell lines. Scaffolds have exhibited different pore morphology SAG-1 (pore size = 414.61 ± 56 μm and porosity = 81.45 ± 2.17 %) and SAG-4 (pore size = 195.97 ± 82 μm and porosity = 53.82 ± 2.45 %). They have different mechanical behavior as SAG-1 has the least compression strength and compression modulus 2.14 ± 2.35 and 16.51 ± 1.27 MPa. However, SAG-4 has maximum compression strength and compression modulus 13.67 ± 2.63 and 96.16 ± 1.97 MPa with wetting behavior 80.70° and 58.70°, respectively. Similarly, SAG-1 exhibited the least and SAG-4 presented maximum apatite mineral formation, cell adherence, cell viability, and cell proliferation against mouse pre-osteoblast cell lines. The increased GO amount provides different multifunctional materials with different characteristics. Hence, the fabricated scaffolds could be potential scaffold materials to treat and regenerate fracture bone tissues in bone tissue engineering.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide*
  16. Fulltext Dominant phytoplankton groups as the major source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) in the Meghna estuary Bangladesh
    Shaha DC, Hasan J, Kundu SR, Yusoff FM, Salam MA, Khan M, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2022 Dec 05;12(1):20980.
    PMID: 36470973 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24500-2
    The tropical estuarine ecosystem is fascinating for studying the dynamics of water quality and phytoplankton diversity due to its frequently changing hydrological conditions. Most importantly, phytoplankton is the main supplier of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the coastal food web for fish as they could not synthesize PUFA. This study evaluated seasonal variations of water quality parameters in the Meghna River estuary (MRE), explored how phytoplankton diversity changes according to hydro-chemical parameters, and identified the major phytoplankton groups as the main source of PUFA for hilsa fish. Ten water quality indicators including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN = nitrate, nitrite, ammonia) and phosphorus, dissolved silica and chlorophyll-a were evaluated. In addition, phytoplankton diversity was assessed in the water and hilsa fish gut. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the spatio-temporal changes in the water quality conditions, and the driving factors in the MRE. Four main components were extracted and explained 75.4% variability of water quality parameters. The most relevant driving factors were dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and DIN (nitrate, nitrite and ammonia). These variabilities in physicochemical parameters and dissolved inorganic nutrients caused seasonal variations in two major groups of phytoplankton. Peak abundance of Chlorophyta (green algae) occurred in water in nutrient-rich environments (nitrogen and phosphorus) during the wet (36%) season, while Bacillariophyta (diatoms) were dominant during the dry (32%) season that depleted dissolved silica. Thus, the decrease of green algae and the increase of diatoms in the dry season indicated the potential link to seasonal changes of hydro-chemical parameters. The green algae (53.7%) were the dominant phytoplankton group in the hilsa gut content followed by diatoms (22.6%) and both are contributing as the major source of PUFAs for hilsa fish according to the electivity index as they contain the highest amounts of PUFAs (60 and 28% respectively).
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/analysis
  17. Cytotoxic evaluation of hydroxyapatite-filled and silica/hydroxyapatite-filled acrylate-based restorative composite resins: An in vitro study
    Chadda H, Naveen SV, Mohan S, Satapathy BK, Ray AR, Kamarul T
    J Prosthet Dent, 2016 Jul;116(1):129-35.
    PMID: 26873771 DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2015.12.013
    STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Although the physical and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite-filled dental restorative composite resins have been examined, the biocompatibility of these materials has not been studied in detail.

    PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyze the toxicity of acrylate-based restorative composite resins filled with hydroxyapatite and a silica/hydroxyapatite combination.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five different restorative materials based on bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA) and tri-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) were developed: unfilled (H0), hydroxyapatite-filled (H30, H50), and silica/hydroxyapatite-filled (SH30, SH50) composite resins. These were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity by using human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells. Surface morphology, elemental composition, and functional groups were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The spectra normalization, baseline corrections, and peak integration were carried out by OPUS v4.0 software.

    RESULTS: Both in vitro cytotoxicity results and SEM analysis indicated that the composite resins developed were nontoxic and supported cell adherence. Elemental analysis with EDX revealed the presence of carbon, oxygen, calcium, silicon, and gold, while the presence of methacrylate, hydroxyl, and methylene functional groups was confirmed through FTIR analysis.

    CONCLUSIONS: The characterization and compatibility studies showed that these hydroxyapatite-filled and silica/hydroxyapatite-filled bis-GMA/TEGDMA-based restorative composite resins are nontoxic to human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells and show a favorable biologic response, making them potential biomaterials.

    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide/adverse effects; Silicon Dioxide/therapeutic use
  18. Fulltext Distribution of Silicified Microstructures, Regulation of Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Lodging Resistance in Silicon and Paclobutrazol Mediated Oryza sativa
    Dorairaj D, Ismail MR
    Front Physiol, 2017;8:491.
    PMID: 28747889 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00491
    Lodging is a phenomenon that affects most of the cereal crops including rice, Oryza sativa. This is due to the fragile nature of herbaceous plants whose stems are non-woody, thus affecting its ability to grow upright. Silicon (Si), a beneficial nutrient is often used to toughen and protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. Deposition of Si in plant tissues enhances the rigidity and stiffness of the plant as a whole. Silicified cells provide the much needed strength to the culm to resist breaking. Lignin plays important roles in cell wall structural integrity, stem strength, transport, mechanical support, and plant pathogen defense. The aim of this study is to resolve effects of Si on formation of microstructure and regulation of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), a key gene responsible for lignin biosynthesis. Besides evaluating silicon, paclobutrazol (PBZ) a plant growth retartdant that reduces internode elongation is also incorporated in this study. Hardness, brittleness and stiffness were improved in presence of silicon thus reducing lodging. Scanning electron micrographs with the aid of energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) was used to map silicon distribution. Presence of trichomes, silica cells, and silica bodies were detected in silicon treated plants. Transcripts of CAD gene was also upregulated in these plants. Besides, phloroglucinol staining showed presence of lignified vascular bundles and sclerenchyma band. In conclusion, silicon treated rice plants showed an increase in lignin content, silicon content, and formation of silicified microstructures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide
  19. Titanium addition influences antibacterial activity of bioactive glass coatings on metallic implants
    Rodriguez O, Stone W, Schemitsch EH, Zalzal P, Waldman S, Papini M, et al.
    Heliyon, 2017 Oct;3(10):e00420.
    PMID: 29034340 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00420
    In an attempt to combat the possibility of bacterial infection and insufficient bone growth around metallic, surgical implants, bioactive glasses may be employed as coatings. In this work, silica-based and borate-based glass series were synthesized for this purpose and subsequently characterized in terms of antibacterial behavior, solubility and cytotoxicity. Borate-based glasses were found to exhibit significantly superior antibacterial properties and increased solubility compared to their silica-based counterparts, with BRT0 and BRT3 (borate-based glasses with 0 and 15 mol% of titanium dioxide incorporated, respectively) outperforming the remainder of the glasses, both borate and silicate based, in these respects. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy confirmed the release of zinc ions (Zn(2+)), which has been linked to the antibacterial abilities of glasses SRT0, BRT0 and BRT3, with inhibition effectively achieved at concentrations lower than 0.7 ppm. In vitro cytotoxicity studies using MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts confirmed that cell proliferation was affected by all glasses in this study, with decreased proliferation attributed to a faster release of sodium ions over calcium ions in both glass series, factor known to slow cell proliferation in vitro.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide
  20. Fulltext Comparison of direct method and indirect methods for sampling and analysis of airborne respirable crystaline silica by X-ray difractometer
    Suhaily Amran, Ahmad Sayuti Zainal Abidin, Shoffian Amin Jaafar, Mohd Talib Latif, Abdul Mutalib Leman
    Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2015;12(1):137-141.
    MyJurnal
    There are several alternative sampling and analytical methods available for the determination of respirable
    crystalline silica exposure among workers. The commonly used ones are, (1) NIOSH Manual Analytical Method
    No.7500(NMAM 7500) which is Silica, crystalline, by X-ray difractometer via filter deposition(NIOSH 2003), and
    (2) MDHS 101 (Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances (MDHS) Guidance No.101: Respirable
    crystalline silica in respirable airborne dust). The aim of this study is to compare applicability of respirable crystalline
    silica sampling and analysis between method MDHS 101 and NMAM 7500. Laboratory procedures will be performed
    strictly based on MDHS 101 and NMAM 7500. Both methods apply X-ray diffraction as analytical technique with
    many variations on sampling techniques and laboratory preparations. Quality assurance values such as detection
    limits, accuracy and precision are derived from both data and will be compared to determine which of the method
    establishes better quality assurance. The method which establishes better quality assurance will be recommend to be
    used in Malaysian respirable crystalline silica monitoring programme. The strength of this research lies on its potential
    to provide local capabilities in analysis of respirable crystalline silica in Malaysian setting.
    Matched MeSH terms: Silicon Dioxide
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